A graduation ceremony was held at École Pointe-des-Chênes Monday morning for grade six and seven students who completed the 12-week D.A.R.E. Program.

Ste. Anne Police Auxiliary Constable Paul Laporte, says the 45 students are now equipped with the tools they'll need to make good decisions as they move closer to high school, and the possibility of more negative influences.

Laporte says students learn facts on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, anti-bullying, how to be a good citizen, effective communication, effective listening, health networks, and anti-sexting, all while working with their classmates. 

Ainsley Cumming shows her D.A.R.E. graduation certificate.

"There are several things they do in class, we have group discussions and role play as they work with each other. For effective listening, we actually get them to turn and talk to each other, and they had to write an essay as part of their graduation efforts explaining what they learned during the program and what it meant to them, so it's a very interactive program."

Grade seven student Ainsley Cumming, says she learned a lot from the D.A.R.E. Program. "I never knew that cyberbullying was a big deal, I just thought everybody went through it. It made me realize it is a big thing and many people suffer from it, so I'm trying to stop cyberbullying and other bullying too." 

Cumming adds, "We've also learned that if somebody offers you anything you have to say no because they could be tricking you, and if you take something that you don't know what it is, it could be bad for you and you don't know."

Laporte says the D.A.R.E. Program is made possible at all of the schools in Ste. Anne because of the generous support of the Rotary Club of South Eastman. "I have worked in other communities where there hasn't been a patron community group like this, and it was almost impossible to put the program on. So I really appreciate their support."